In the US market the gas 1.6 was only used until 1980 or thereabouts.
Not a good choice, not enough power. The later 1.8 and 2.0 8- or
16-valve engines, yes. BUT!---you'll need different mounts, bell housing
or adaptor plates, and much MUCH more. Not an 'easy' or bolt-in
conversion, ya gotta know what you're doing! And, FWIW, the Subie can be
done just as easily and inexpensively if not more so. Unless you have
all the necessary parts for free, you're still possibly looking at a
couple thousand bucks in parts. Then the headaches and labor time.
That's why a lot have gone with the Tiico. Everything is there (well,
almost) and it's an easy bolt-in swap.

Karl

Christopher Gronski wrote:
> This got posted on the yahoo groups spare list, but I thought it was worth
> reposting on Gerry. I'm considering a diesel converssioin and that may be in
> the not so distant future. If my current engine is fried, and it was sort of
> nice to see one guys summar and opinion on the various options available.
>> 9. BEST - drop a cheap 4cyl. VW 1.6, 1.8 out of a junked FOX,
>> GOLF,JETTA ,Passatt into your VANAGON- I have driven/owned several
>> VW Fox's with the 1.6 over the last 15 years , great power &
>> reliability ! still have a '93 FOX with 200k - best car I have ever
>> owned ! and I have owned many-Toyota-BMW- Chevy , you name it !
>>
>> if you don't have $5k + to blow the last option is the best !
>> someone prove me wrong ! I plan on keeping my '87 Vangon Westy
>> forever , but part of the VW thing is economy, spending $5,000-
>> $9,000 to re-power is nuts, even if I had the money , but then '87
>> Vanagon West Syncho's apprently sell for $50k + in California !
>> I have 20 + website links on my work computer if anyone is
>> interested - I will try & post next week - that cover the above info-
>> personally I would NEVER waste money on another stock engine.
>> Now all I need is a reliable, honest, competent VW mechanic in the
>> central Alabama area- Good Luck to me , huh !